Csquared Menswear

Boardwalk Empire is an American TV series set in Atlantic City, New Jersey in the Prohibition era. The series has received widespread critical acclaim particularly for its visual style. 

Recently Michael Pitt who plays the role of James “Jimmy” Darmody modeled in Prada Men’s Spring/Summer2012 ad campaign. The Italian fashion house has also released a behind the scenes video of the campaign shoot.

Playing the guitar, boxing a little bit, Michael plays a Hollywood Golden Boy wearing serious Prada threads.

I think Pitt was asked to be the face of the S/S12 Prada Menswear ad campaign is because of his role in Boardwalk Empire. If you have ever watched this show you will know everything is tai­lor made, so it fits per­fectly and everyone looks seriously styling.

Lush tweed and wool suits are worn along with brightly col­ored ties with ele­gant col­lar pins to hold them up. Fedo­ras and news­boy caps were a neces­sity and not a prop. 

Back then, the finishing of cloth was not as refined as it is today and most fabrics were considerably heavier, and consequently draped nicely.The cut of the clothes is certainly different. Suits were fitted snugly around shoulder, and had little to no padding. The trousers were much slimmer than in the 1930’s and did not have pleats. Unlike today though they had a high raise and were of course worn with suspenders.

The fashion is pure American gangster. The way these men dressed showed power and they took such care to perfect their looks, you got to respect that. The blue coat above blows my mind, with wide lapels and the black collar. 

By taking a few elements from this era as inspiration you can add this mafioso swag to your modern day look:

Enoch ‘Nucky’ Thompson

Played by Steve Buscemi, is part politician/ part gangster and All style.

He rules Atlantic City in a range of tailored three piece suits with his signature red carnation pinned in the button hole. The red carnation serves as a perfect accessory to all his looks, giving them a stylish pop of color. These days wearing a red carnation everyday may not as fashionable but with accessories such as bowties, pocket squares or shoes you can definitely add to the elegance of your outfit as Nucky’s red carnation did for his.

Csquared Brogues R899, Csquared Wayfarers R699, Csquared Checked Bow tie R175, Csquared blue with white polka dots Pocket square R175.

Jimmy Darmody

Played by Michael Pitt is the former protege of Nucky, which is evident in his style. Soldier turned gangster Jimmy sported a more casual look in earlier episodes but as his status rises so does his sharp style.

The above blue and grey check 3-piece suit is by far one of my favorite looks from the show. Simple, elegant and sharp.  A great modern twist on this would be:

Csquared shirt R595, Csquared waistcost R599, Csquared tie R175

Albert “Chalky” White

Played by Michael Kenneth Williams, is a racketeer and unofficial leader of the African-American community in Atlantic City.

I loveChalky’s style! His flamboyant tailoring with lots of check patterns and he’s not afraid to wear a bow tie! This is a man after my very own Csquared heart. The Csquared Winter Collection 2012 is bursting with checks and bright, bold bowties and ties which makes achieving Chalky’s look easy.

This show deserves every award it wins. It is an amazingly true depiction of life and fashion in the 1920’s but then again no one does the 1920s gangster era quite like Martin Scorsese. 

Stay Stylin’

Csquared

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Csquared Menswear is stocked at selected boutiques and premier Stuttafords and Markham stores nationwide.